New Member Program
The New Member Experience is based on Tri Sigma’s mission, vision and values. Our mission statement challenges us to establish among its members a perpetual bond of friendship, to develop in them strong womanly character, and impress upon them high standards of conduct. We strive to achieve this by providing exceptional experiences that empower our members to change the world. The new member program is grounded in these tenets.
- The ideal new member program is 6-8 weeks; however, it will never exceed 8 weeks.
- The program is designed to educate new members on Tri Sigma's history, values, and operations, as well as provide the opportunity to develop valuable leadership and academic success skills.
- Guided online sessions complement weekly in-person group meetings.
- A Big Sis is paired with each new member to help her navigate the new member period and serve as a mentor throughout college.
- New members will also have responsibilities that mirror those of the initiated members. This can include study hours, participation requirements, a financial commitment, the opportunity to hold leadership positions, and a responsibility to uphold the values and standards of Tri Sigma. These responsibilities continue throughout the collegiate membership experience.
Questions about the new member experience? Contact the chapter's Vice President of New Member Education.
Tri Sigma strives to be a sorority dedicated to friendship, character, and conduct. In our mission statement, these are the three basic tenets for our existence as a Sisterhood. They influence every facet of our decision making, leadership, and lives. The new member program is designed to prepare new members for membership while providing education and experiences that emphasize our mission and help each new member develop their personal vision for contributing to the vibrancy of our Sisterhood.
Ritual
A woman is considered a new member after going through the first of three ritual ceremonies, called Arc Degree. During Arc Degree, the date of initiation is announced. The new member program culminates with the second ritual ceremony, or Triangle Degree. New members will be considered a fully initiated and active member of Sigma Sigma Sigma upon completion of this ceremony. As Tri Sigma history dictates, you will be expected to wear white for all ceremonial meetings.
Education
Between the Arc Degree and Triangle Degree ceremonies, new members will be guided by the Vice President of New Member Education in a scripted education program based on a flipped classroom model. This model allows new members to learn membership basics independently in our eLearning platform, Essential Sigma, followed by in-person or virtual meetings designed to develop friendships and review Essential Sigma lesson content. The new member education program is organized into five sessions. Sessions include:
Your Sigma story begins.
You are entrusted with great responsibility.
You are supported every step of the way.
You are a partner in changing the world.
You are a Sigma for life.
In addition to these foundational lessons, all new members and members will have on-going access to developmental programs in the Essential Sigma platform that are based on our sisterhood and leadership competencies.
Experiences
New members will also have responsibilities that mirror those of the initiated members. This can include study hours, participation requirements, paying dues, serving in leadership positions, and upholding the standards of the Sorority. Maintaining these responsibilities will ensure new members are on track to be initiated.
